This is the latest translated message From Aleksander Emelianenko’s official M-1 Web site:
“Next bout of Aleksander Emelianenko will be held on April 11 in Chicago. Currently we are negotiating for Aleksander’s opponent. Most likely it will be Josh Barnett.”
I believe this is the first M-1 show they are talking about on which his brother, Fedor, should also be fighting. Kind of weird that they want Aleksander to fight Barnett and not Fedor. Although its not Fedor, this would still be a great fight.
Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) is expected to headline this event against MMA and K-1 Veteran, Semmy Shilt. This would be a rematch because Fedor made his Pride Fc debut against Shilt. Although neither fight has been made official, its being said that both fights are in the works.
Fedor is catching heat from many fans for not fighting the top guys but from a business standpoint this kind of make sense to me. Bare with me for a second…
It doesnt make much sense from a business standpoint to throw Barnett in there against Fedor right off the bat especially after a big layoff. You get Barnett a warmup fight and also build up some hype for the fight. Now if we see those fights and then Fedor fights another can after he beats Schilt…. Then I think it would be safe to call Fedor the Can Crusher. However I understand why Fedor isnt fighting Barnett. Barnett is probably the best HW they will be able to sign, so if they start of with Fedor vs. Barnett at the 1st M-1 pay per view, where does the company go from there?
Having Aleksander fight Barnett ensure us fans another quality event down the line. If Barnett beats Aleksander it will build hype for the Fedor fight just like what happened in Pride when Cro Cop 1st fought Aleksander and won. That added to the Hype of Fedor vs. Cro Cop which took place down the line.
Even if Aleksander beats Barnett, I think Barnett is good enough and one of the only top names to make a fight with him and Fedor inevitable down the future in M-1. Fans may not like it but I can see why M-1 is matching the Emelienenko brothers up like that in the 1st M-1 event. They are planning for the Future.
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